Yuba City Municipal Code Ch. 8 Curfew

The City Council declares its purpose and intent in enacting this chapter is as follows:

(a) Juvenile crime, especially nighttime crime, has increased over the years and jurisdictions enforcing a nocturnal juvenile curfew have experienced a reduction in crime and noncriminal mischief.

(b) In recent years, minors have increasingly been victims of violent crime and the adoption and enforcement of a curfew ordinance will tend to reverse this trend.

(c) Curfew ordinances tend to reinforce parental authority and supervision and recognize that minors are not likely to have an adult's capability to make reasoned judgments, resist peer pressure and understand the consequences of improper behavior.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)

It shall be unlawful for any minor person under the age of 18 years between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on the day and 5:00 a.m. of the immediate following day, to loiter, stand, idle, wander, stroll or aimlessly drive or ride about in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road curb area, parking lot, alley, park, playground, or other public ground, or public place, without lawful purpose and/or in such manner that the minor's conduct, in light of all surrounding circumstances, reasonably leads to a conclusion that the public peace or safety is thereby threatened or that the conduct constitutes a search or wait for an opportunity to breach the public peace or safety or otherwise commit a crime, or that the minor is in need of protective custody pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 300, 601, or 602.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996; § 1, Ord. 001-11, eff. February 17, 2011)

The provisions of Section 5-8.01 of this chapter shall not apply when the minor is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or another adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or when the minor is returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, or recreational activity directed, supervised, or sponsored by the local educational authorities, or when engaged in a legitimate business, trade, profession, or occupation, or when the minor is upon any emergency errand or legitimate business directed by his or her parents or legal guardian.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)

It shall be unlawful for any parent or legal guardian to permit, aid, abet, allow, or encourage any such minor to violate the provisions of Section 5-8.01 of this chapter and shall be guilty of an infraction.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)

It shall be unlawful for any person, other than a parent or legal guardian of such a minor, to accompany such minor in any public place set forth in Section 5-8.01 of this chapter between the hours specified without the consent of a parent or legal guardian of such minor.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)

It shall be the duty of any owner, agent, manager, or keeper of a hotel, boarding house, lodging house, tenement house, apartment house, or motor court to report the presence therein of any minor, unless such minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of such minor, to the Police Department. In making such report such person shall state the name, age, last known place of abode, and the names and residences of the parents or other custodian of such minor, so far as such information can be ascertained.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)

It shall be unlawful for any proprietor, keeper, clerk, or other person having charge or control of a hotel, boarding house, lodging house, tenement house, apartment house, or motor court to knowingly permit any minor to remain in such place between the hours specified in Section 5-8.01 of this chapter unless such minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of such minor.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by:

(a) A fine not exceeding $100 for the first offense;

(b) A fine not exceeding $200 for the second offense;

(c) A fine not exceeding $300 for each additional violation of this chapter within one year.

(Ord. 05-96, eff. August 1, 1996)